New facilities for St Dominic’s set to benefit local community

St Dominic’s school, situated in Melton in the outer northwest of Melbourne, recently received $2,650,000 in funding under the Building the Education Revolution (BER), a key component of the Australian Government’s Nation Building-Economic Stimulus Plan.

St Dominic’s received $150,000 in funding under the National School Pride (NSP) element and $2,500,000 in funding under the Primary Schools for the 21st Century (P21) element of the BER.

The works at St Dominic’s have been divided into two stages; the first stage involved the construction of new student amenities, a flexible learning facility and the conversion of the school maintenance and PE store into a new General Purpose Classrooms (GPC). All construction under this initial stage has now been completed. Four additional classrooms are undergoing refurbishment work to help accommodate for the growing population of the school.

Stage two of the works will involve the construction of a new learning resource facility, accommodating a technological discovery centre with full IT provision, interactive learning area and an enticing reading and traditional book keeping library. An addition to the first floor will provide further learning spaces for performance and visual arts.

The spaces are designed with flexibility in mind providing wireless and hard networking data connections throughout, ensuring the school can keep up to date with 21st century teaching philosophies.

The design allows for numerous Ecologically Sustainable Development initiatives including sheltered external areas for outdoor learning, solar energy, water tanks, insulation and double glazing with Low ‘E’ glass for solar reduction and high thermal performance.

Melbourne based firm Centrum Architects and ADZ constructions are the companies responsible for undertaking the project and have worked well together to allow the project to progress at a rapid rate. Both companies are working on a number of BER projects and have employed further people to handle the increased workload.

St Dominic’s community has a large Sudanese population and Principal Denise Bury is excited at the opportunities the new developments will provide the community.

“St Dominic's school community is keen to establish regular gatherings for our Sudanese families in our beautiful new flexi-room. Through social gatherings we will help them with their English and encourage them to participate in our school activities”

The project is expected to be completed by May 2010.

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